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Simple rules of tajweed Page 1 Introduction Tajweed literally means to adorn and beautify. In the context of the recitation of the Quraan Shareef, tajweed refers to the correct pronunciation of the letters and applying the various rules of recitation. The importance of Tajweed cannot be overemphasized. The recitation of the Qur’aan Shareef in salaah is compulsory. Often, due to not reciting the Qur’aan Shareef with Tajweed, the salaah is affected. It is therefore necessary to learn Tajweed so that the Qur’aan Shareef may be recited correctly. Arabic is a very delicate language. A slight mispronunciation can completely change the meaning. The word Qalb means heart. If the Qaaf in Qalb is not pronounced correctly and instead, it is pronounced as a kaaf, the meaning changes to “dog!” In Surah Kausar the word “wan Har” means sacrifice. If the Haa is not pronounced correctly the meaning changes to “scold!” It is thus obvious that the rules of Tajweed must be applied in the recitation of the Qur’aan Shareef. There are many detailed laws of tajweed which take a long time to study. However this booklet contains the most basic laws which, if learnt thoroughly, will enable a learner on the Maktab level to recite the Quraan Shareef correctly. It must nevertheless be remembered that the correct application of the rules of tajweed depends upon listening to its application by someone who has learnt how to recite the Qur’aan Shareef with Tajweed. Thus the teacher must clearly recite the various examples to the children, highlighting the particular rule that is being applied therein. The children must then be made to repeatedly practice the examples in the book with additional examples from the Qur’aan Shareef in order to fully grasp the application of the rule.

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 2 Makhaarij (Correct pronunciation of letters)­ ­ ¯ Special letters Do not confuse the letters in the first row with the similar sounding letters in the second row. ¯­ ­

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 3 Full mouth letters These seven letters will always be read with a full mouth. ¯ ­­ ( ) ¯

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 4 Open letters Pull the letter for the duration of one Alif Closed letters Be careful not to drag a closed letter

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 6 Idghaam If after noon saakin ( ) or tanween ( ) the letters appear then make idghaam (join the letters) and make ghunnah (a long nasal sound). For e.g. If after noon saakin or tanween the letters appear then join the letters and do not make ghunnah. For e.g.

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 8 Ikhfa IKHFAA: If any of the following letters appear after Noon Saakin or Tanween, Ikhfaa (a nasal sound equal to one alif) should be made. ¯ ­­

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 9 Izhaar If any of the following letters come after a Noon Saakin or Tanween, Izhaar will be made. Izhaar means to recite without a nasal sound (without pulling).

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 10 Rules of Meem IDGHAAM: If a Meem appears after Meem Saakin, ghunna will be made. IKHFAA: If a Baa appears after Meem Saakin, Ikhfa will be made IZHAAR: If any letter besides Baa and Meem appears after Meem Saakin, do not make ghunna.

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 12 Rules of Raa Raa with a Fatha (Zabar) or Dhammah (Pesh) OR Raa Saakin with a Fatha or Dhamma before it will be read with a Full Mouth. ­ Raa with a Kasrah or Raa Saakin with a Kasrah before it will be read with an Empty Mouth.

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 13 Laam of Allah If a Dhammah (Pesh) or Fatha (Zabar) comes before the word “Allah”, it will be read with a Full Mouth (Tafkheem). If a Kasrah (Zer) comes before the word “Allah”, it will be read with an Empty Mouth (Tarqeeq).

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 14 Qalqalah If any of the letters of ( ) ¯ has a saakin or jazam, Qalqalah will be made. Qalqalah means to make an echoing sound.

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 15 The same rule applies if the Saakin is due to Waqf (stopping). ¯ Take care: When making Qalqalah, take care that a Harkat (Zabar, Zer or Pesh) is not created. should not be read as

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 17 (Stopping topping) Rules of Waqf (Stopping) 1. The general rule of waqf is to remove the harkat of the last letter and replace it with a sukoon / jazam. 2. If the last letter has a fathatain / do zabar, take out one fatha / zabar and read the alif after it. (If there isn’t an alif, add one). 3. If the last letter is a round taa , change it to a (small) haa and put a sukoon / jazam on it.

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Simple rules of tajweed Page 18 4. If the last letter is an alif with a fatha / zabar before it or if the last letter has a sukoon / jazam or the last letter has a fatha muqaddara / khara zabar, no change will take place when making waqf. 5. If , , comes before the last letter, then pull slightly when making waqf. 6. If the last letter has a tashdeed, pull a little when making waqf.